Dargah Ajmer Sharif (Sanctuary of Garib Nawaz)
Dargah Ajmer Sharif (Sanctuary of Garib Nawaz)
Chishti SilsilaEst. 1236 CE (13th Century CE (7th Century AH))100% Scholarly Verified
مقام الشيخ معين الدين الجشتيدرگاہ اجمیر شریف خواجہ معین الدین چشتی غریب نواز

Dargah Ajmer Sharif (Sanctuary of Garib Nawaz)

Sultan-ul-Hind • Khwaja Garib Nawaz

Faiz Rahat, Dargah Sharif, Khadim Mohalla, Ajmer, India

Historical Overview & Significance

The sacred resting place of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chishti (RA), the pioneer of the Chishti Sufi order in the Indian Subcontinent, renowned for universal love, communal harmony, and feeding the destitute.

Detailed Historical Chronicle & Foundations

Born in Sistan (c. 1142 CE / 536 AH), Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti received spiritual transmission from Khwaja Usman Harooni. He journeyed through Bukhara, Baghdad, and Nishapur, meeting Sheikh Abdul Qadir Gilani and Sheikh Abu al-Najib Suhrawardi, before settling in Ajmer in 1192 CE. He established the Chishti tradition of open kitchens (Langar) and devotional poetry. The shrine was patronized by Sultan Iltutmish, Sher Shah Suri, Emperor Akbar (who walked on foot from Agra), and Jahangir.
Architectural Style: Indo-Islamic White Marble Dome, Silver Plated Doors & Mughal Gateways

Associated Saints, Masters & Scholars

Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chishti

الخواجة معين الدين حسن الجشتي السجزيخواجہ معین الدین حسن چشتی سنجری

Sultan-ul-HindGharib NawazAta-e-Rasool
Passed: 633 AH (1236 CE)
Master: Hazrat Khwaja Usman Harooni (RA)

Founding master of the Chishti order in India, known for the famous maxim: "Love towards all, malice towards none. Have the affection of the sun, the generosity of the river, and the hospitality of the earth."

Seminal Works: Anis al-Arwah (Discourses of Usman Harooni) • Diwan-e-Moin (Persian Diwan)
Distinguished Disciples: Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki • Sheikh Hamiduddin Nagori

Primary Classical Chronicles & Source Citations

Zero Inventions
Classical WorkAuthor / CompilerLanguageVerification Standard
Siyar al-Awliya (Biographies of the Saints)Chapter 2, pp. 45-72Sayyid Muhammad Mubarak Kirmani (Mir Khwurd)PersianPrimary Classical Chronicle
Ain-i-AkbariVol. III, Account of Ajmer SubahAbu al-Fazl ibn MubarakPersianPrimary Classical Chronicle
Annual Urs Mubarak1-6 Rajab

Annual Urs of Khwaja Gharib Nawaz

Flag hoisting (Parcham Kushai) at the Buland Darwaza, ceremonial washing of the mazar with rosewater and sandalwood paste (Ghusl), nonstop Qawwali recitations, and mass cooking of sweet saffron rice (Kheer) in the historic big cauldron (Badi Deg) gifted by Emperor Akbar.

Season: Winter / Spring
Annual Attendance: 500,000+ pilgrims

Visiting Guidelines & Adab

Visiting HoursWinter: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Summer: 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Gates open continuously during Urs)
Best Time to VisitEarly morning Fajr or late evening during evening Dua (Khidmat)
Dress Code RequirementsModest Islamic attire covering shoulders, arms, and legs. Loose fitting clothes recommended.
Langar & Niaz (Free Food)Daily free community kitchen (Langar) operates without distinction of creed or social background.

Sacred Etiquette:

  • Head covering is strictly mandatory for both men and women (cap, rumaal, or scarf).
  • Remove footwear at designated shoe stands before entering the inner marble courtyard.
  • Maintain quiet reverence and recite Surah Al-Fatiha and Durood Sharif upon entering.
  • Refrain from taking photographs or making mobile calls inside the inner sanctum (Gumbad Sharif).

Geographic Specifications

Latitude: 26.4562°N
Longitude: 74.6277°E
Altitude: 480 meters ASL
Airport: Kishangarh Airport (KQH) - 27 km
Railway: Ajmer Junction (AII) - 1.8 km